"right now they need to rethink the way they pay for the public services, healthcare, pension systems, the education system. the money simply is not there any more to support all that." while the u.s. continues to struggle with an unemployment rate above 8%. "we have been suffering in an economy that has not been performing up to standard for a long time, almost more than 5 years at this point." adolfo laurenti of mesirow financial is more optimistic on prospects for growth in the u.s.. but he warns partisanship in washington may derail those hopes. "the fiscal cliff that everyone is fearing" that political division in dc contrasts with unity among european leaders, and that togetherness may help make a positive difference for the economy. "germans do not like the idea that they have to pay the debt of the greeks, the italians, and the spaniards." as for his picks for this weekend's golf tournament, the italian economist will actually be paying more attention to the american pastime. as for the region that can bring the best returns, jack ablin, chief inveatment officer of harris priv